2023 Kia Carnival — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2023 Kia Carnival is a van/minivan powered by a 3.5L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 26 mpg (UK) / 22 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Kia Carnival workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2022 Kia Carnival: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 26 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.5L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Van/Minivan |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 26 combined / 23 urban / 31 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 22 combined / 19 city / 26 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 254 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,050 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2023 Kia Carnival, all with the 3.5L 6-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/26) | 254 | $3,050 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2023 Kia Carnival
Running Costs: 2023 Kia Carnival
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2023 Kia Carnival at 26 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,399 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2023 Kia Carnival Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2023 Kia Carnival (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Structure (2), Fuel system (1), Trailer hitches (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Fuel system — campaign 26V232000, reported 10 April 2026. Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
- Structure — campaign 24V025000, reported 18 January 2024. Risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Structure — campaign 23V236000, reported 31 March 2023. Risk: A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
- Trailer hitches — campaign 23V179000, reported 17 March 2023. Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia Carnival. The most-reported areas are Unspecified (22), Structure (12), Electrical system (6). Complaints include 1 reported crash, 7 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 75 complaints across the 5 Kia Carnival model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2023 Kia Carnival
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Body structure (2 recall campaigns · 12 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Fuel system (1 recall campaign) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
- Electrical system (6 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Engine (5 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Kia Carnival compare to similar van/minivans? For context, van/minivans in our database average around 24 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 26 mpg figure is 2 mpg better than that average. Its 254 g/km CO₂ figure is 38 g/km lower than the 292 g/km average for van/minivans on this site. This comparison is based on 157 van/minivans in our dataset.
Kia models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2023 Kia Carnival's 26 mpg is 8 mpg below that make average. Its 254 g/km CO₂ figure is 47 g/km higher than the 207 g/km Kia average.
Of the 5 Kia Carnival model years we cover, the 2023 is the most economical on its best configuration (26 mpg UK combined). See every Kia Carnival year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2023 Kia Carnival
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2023 Kia Carnival have?
It's fitted with a 3.5L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s8) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Kia Carnival?
The most efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, or 22 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2023 Kia Carnival cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2023 Kia Carnival have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2023 Kia Carnival (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Structure (2), Fuel system (1), Trailer hitches (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2023 Kia Carnival?
Among the 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Unspecified (22 complaints), Structure (12 complaints), Electrical system (6 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Kia Carnival's fuel economy good for a van/minivan?
Yes — it returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 24 mpg among the van/minivans we track.